It’s fall, and that means cooler weather across Northeast Mississippi (at least at night). It also normally means good temperatures for a campfire. But with most of the state currently under a burn ban, those flames must wait.

Daily Journal law enforcement reporter William Moore (8:58) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to talk about the burn ban, what it means, how many citations have been issued and how long it is likely to last.

The future direction of Saltillo could be determined in the next 10 days, and city leaders are asking the public to help in the process.

The city will be the first in the state to participate in the Mississippi Vision Plan process, which is sponsored by the Mississippi Main Street Association. It will combine the input of outside experts and local residents to set a plan for Saltillo’s Main Street.

On today’s episode, Daily Journal reporter William Moore (6:46) joins Derek and Brad to talk more about the three-day process, how you can help and what may result from it.

Also, Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (12:32) discusses recent hearings by legislators trying to cut down on travel expenses by state agencies. Bobby (15:23) also looks at the latest state revenue reports, which showed continuing declines in sales tax collections.

Four of the working groups formed by Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton to increase engagement between the city and its citizens will make recommendations to the City Council this week.

Groups will make presentations about oversight of law enforcement, community policing, workforce diversity and engagement with the faith community. Local government reporter Caleb Bedillion (11:10) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to discuss what is likely to emerge.

Also today, business editor Dennis Seid (22:48) talks about the 100th anniversary of Tupelo Coca-Cola and the challenges currently facing the Tupelo Outlet Mall.

Mississippi schools and districts received their first letter-grade ratings without the ability to use a waiver since 2013.

The “A” to “F” letter grades were released on Thursday morning by the Mississippi Department of Education. They are based on student performance on last year’s state tests, plus other factors. Daily Journal education reporter Emma Kent (6:58) joins Brad and guest co-host Scott Morris on today’s episode to explain the ratings, how they were determined and what we learned from this year’s data.

Also on today’s show, reporter Zack Orsborn (17:50) discusses the 50th anniversary of North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, a group that helps disadvantaged residents.

Scott (26:32) reviews “The Accountant.” Derek (31:52) has the highlights of the entertainment scene, including an upcoming concert by Mac McAnally.

Today, we’ve got updates on several issues related to the shooting death of Antwun “Ronnie” Shumpert by a Tupelo Police officer.

On Tuesday, a U.S. judge ruled Shumpert’s wrongful death suit against Tupelo officials can move forward despite a pending review by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Local government reporter Caleb Bedillion (7:50) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to give the latest details on that lawsuit and the judge’s ruling.

Caleb also has an update (11:51) on Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton’s efforts to improve city engagement in the wake of protests that followed Shumpert’s death. Shelton formed six committees to tackle various issues. On Monday, however, a local activist group said it was not satisfied with those efforts.

Meanwhile, law enforcement reporter William Moore (19:14) will talk about the death of a K9 officer who was involved in the Shumpert incident. Alec went missing on Sunday and was later found dead after being struck by a car.

William (16:21) also discusses another delay for the Tupelo Police Department’s new headquarters. On Tuesday, the building received water damage from a sprinkler system during a test. Its opening is already behind schedule and will now be pushed back even later.

Also on today’s episode, photographer Adam Robison (27:16) talks about his recent photo essay about a local a farrier and about what he learned on the process of making horse shoes.

House speaker Philip Gunn said the latest work to modernize the state funding formula for public schools will not be a backdoor attempt to expand the state’s charter school law.

Gunn said last week lawmakers have done what they are going to do on charter schools and that they need to see how the current law works before making any changes.

On today’s episode, Daily Journal capitol bureau chief Bobby Harrison (5:37) joins Derek and Brad to discuss charter schools and the funding study. EdBuild, the company hired to conduct that study, has indicated its focus is to base funding on individualized students needs.

Also on today’s show, William Moore (12:51) highlights a new grant to the Tupelo-based Family Resource Center that will help students and adults across north Mississippi earn their high school diplomas. It will provide free dual enrollment courses for high school credits.

Business editor Dennis Seid (20:56) talks about a program by Cooper Tire to introduce students to modern manufacturing and available careers.

Mississippi may soon make significant changes to the way it funds its public schools.

The state’s Legislative leadership announced on Tuesday they had hired New Jersey-based Ed Build to study the current formula and recommend ways to “modernize” it. Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (5:39) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to provide perspective on the surprise announcement and what may happen next.

Mississippi currently follows the Mississippi Adequate Education Program to determine how much state funding should go to local schools, but it has only fully funded that amount twice since 2003. Some say MAEP provides equitable school funding and the current study is really a way to give less money to schools. Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and House Speaker Philip Gunn, meanwhile, say their goal is to spend more on classrooms and less on administration.

Also on today’s episode, M. Scott Morris (13:22) reviews a pair of movies, “Girl on the Train” (15:36) and “Queen of Katwe” (13:22).

Derek (22:53) has the highlights of the weekend entertainment scene, plus TCT’s haunted theatre and a couple of ghost stories.

The creation of a police advisory board will be recommended to the Tupelo City Council, but any such board seems unlikely to have direct oversight over law enforcement.

On today’s episode, Daily Journal local government reporter Caleb Bedillion (10:47) joins Derek and Brad to discuss his recent three-part series examining how such a board might look and function. Caleb talks about the recommendations of a working group that was formed to study the possibility of a police review or advisory board. He also examines the debate on whether that board should have subpoena power, as well as the police department’s current procedure for internal investigations.

Also on today’s show, business editor Dennis Seid (23:59) talks about the recent drought Northeast Mississippi is experiencing and how it has impacted the region’s farmers.

State economist Darrin Webb told a committee of legislators last week that low gas prices have hurt Mississippi’s economy more than expected.

Webb said the oil sector decline has led to lost jobs for Mississippians and also has negatively impacted sales tax collections in the state. Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (6:25) joins Brad and guest co-host Lauren Wood on today’s episode to discuss Webb’s comments and his long-term outlook for the state.

Also on today’s show, Daily Journal health reporter Michaela Morris (11:42) explains the dispute between North Mississippi Health Services and United Healthcare. NMHS has notified the insurer that it will terminate its provider agreement in 2017 because it claims United Healthcare has failed to pay the system accurately and fairly. Michaela has the latest on negotiations between the two entities to reach an agreement, and she explains how this will impact those who are insured by United.

Lauren (25:20) discusses her photo essay on Tupelo’s Spencer Kirkpatrick, who is participating in Mississippi State University’s ACCESS program. That program allows students with intellectual disabilities to have a true college experience. Participants attend regular college classes related to their career interests, have a program specific class twice per week and work with peer mentors and student workers to set and achieve social and academic goals.